Rates of reaction - (CCEA)Typical rate of reaction experiments

The rate of reaction increases when reactant particles successfully collide more frequently. Temperature, reactant concentration, size of solid reactant particles (surface area) and catalysts can all affect the reaction rate.

Part of Combined ScienceRates of reaction

Typical rate of reaction experiments

Metals with dilute acid

We can use a gas syringe to measure the reaction of metals with dilute acid. When zinc reacts with hydrochloric acid it produces zinc chloride and hydrogen gas.

We can measure the rate of the reaction by measuring how fast the reaction produces hydrogen. This requires a conical flask and gas syringe.

Zn + HCl → ZnCl2 + H2

Metals with dilute acids

Calcium carbonate with dilute acid

Similarly, when calcium carbonate reacts with dilute hydrochloric acid, it produces carbon dioxide gas. We can measure the rate of the reaction by measuring how fast the reaction produces carbon dioxide. This requires a conical flask as well as a measuring cylinder filled with water and inverted in a trough of water.

CaCO3+ HCl → CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

A delivery tube takes gas from a conical flask containing hydrogen peroxide solution and a chosen catalyst into a clamped measuring cylinder placed in a trough of water.
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